Waterproof watch-case



Feb. 3, 1959 E. E. FAcHoN 2,871,654

WATERPROOF WATCH-CASE Filed April 14. 1954 ja BYE/WIL E. F7767/ AMMWWLWATERPRF WATCH-CASE Emil E. Fachon, Edgewood, R. I., assigner to BulovaWatch Company inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Yorlk Thepresent invention relates to an improvement in watch construction andmore particularly to a waterproof watch-case.

The desirability of providing a watch case impervious to the entrance ofdust, moisture or other foreign matter detrimental to the delicate watchmechanism, is well recognized.

Many and varied constructions have been proposed and it has been foundthat certain advantages are gained in this direction when a watchcrystal of a plastic material is employed.

When using a plastic crystal, an annular collar or liange of the crystalmay be compressed between metallic parts of the watch casing to effect aseal. As will be evident, however, the contacting surfaces between thecrystal ange and the metallic casing parts result in the necessity ofmaking contact with relatively large surface areas. The component partsmust, therefore, be extremely accurate since any variation in therelative dimensions of the parts will cause a variation in the degree ofContact between the surfaces resulting in an imperfect seal against theentrance of moisture. The flanges of different crystals may varyslightly in thickness, or certain portions of a single flange may'differin thickness, whereupon the degree of compression between the metalliccasing parts will vary to the end that certain portions of the flange orcollar will not be under sufficient pressure to provide the desiredeffective seal.

In accordance with the present invention the relatively large contactareas as heretofore employed are not required, and more effective andassured sealing effect is made possible by avoiding the necessity ofexerting pressure over a relatively large contact surface. It has beenfound practical to reduce the contacting area to a minimum and at thesame time increase its effectiveness as a seal against the entrance ofdust or moisture into the watch casing.

In the present improved waterproof seal construction one of the metallicwatch case parts is provided with a thin annular ridge or bead which,when the parts are assembled, not only maires contact with the surfaceof the crystal collar or flange, but, by reason of the relativedimensions of the metal casing parts, is pressed into and below thenormal surface of the crystal flange. The forced contact between theridge or bead and the crystal flange results in an effective seal, andin order to meet the condition of possible variation in the thickness ofthe crystal flange the relative dimensions of the metallic parts may besuch that when assembled the ridge or bead will be embedded in thecrystal iiange to a greater or lesser degree, thus compensating for anyvariation of thickness and assuring moisture tight relation between thecrystal flange and the contacting metallic watch case part.

By providing a sealing surface area which may vary in diameter and stillmaintain an effective seal, considerable tolerance may be had in thedimensions of the respective parts. This is important from the practical2,371,654 Patented Feb. 3, 1959 standpoint in the manufacture of anarticle produced under quantity production methods.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to thefollowing description together with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is an enlarged side View of a watch case partly in vertical crosssection showing the parts assembled;

Fig. 2 is an exploded View showing the parts separated and in positionto be assembled;

'Fig 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the watch case with theparts assembled; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 but showing a modification ofthe invention.

As shown in the drawing a watch Casing, indicated as a whole byreference character 10, may be provided of a selected shape and for thepurpose of illustrating one example of the invention the casing selectedis of circular form.

The casing 1l) includes a side wall or rim 11 surrounding a back plate12, constituting a receptacle or container for the watch movement. Inthe present showing the plate 12 is circular. Extending from andintegral with the rim is what may be termed an annular rim flange 13.The receptacle contains the watch movement which is indicated as wholeby the reference character 14 and having dial 15 engaged by a flangedretainer ring 16.

The present embodiment of the invention employs a bezel 17 provided withwatch lugs 18 as commonly ernployed to attach the watch to thc endterminals of a bracelet or strap. The bezel 17 is formed with annularsurface portions 19 and 21. When the parts are in assembled relationsurface portion 19 thereof is disposed in spaced and opposed relation toannular surface portion 22 of rim ange 13. Surface 21 is in contact withor may be in opposed spaced relation to surface 23 of rim 11.

With the arrangement of the parts as shown an annular channel or groove24; is provided to contain an annular ange or collar 25 of a crystal 26.This crystal is made from a suitable compressible material such as aplastic or the like which may be distorted when compressed but ofsufficient strength to serve its purpose as a watch crystal and aspointed out above the object being to bring about a sealing relationbetween the crystal and the watch casing 10.

As hereinabove mentioned, when producing an article of the present typewhich must be made in quantity, and at the same time with precision to apractical degree, it is difficult to assure moisture tight contact overa relatively large area.

It has been found that the actual contact or sealing area may be reducedto a minimum with the result that a more effective seal is attained.This is accomplished by providing surface portion 22 of flange 13,intermediate its edges, with an annular rib or bead 27 which may haveside surfaces at opposite angles and intersecting to form a thin edge orapex, and provide what may be termed an extended attenuated surfaceportion to deform the collar to effect a seal.

The inside diameter of crystal collar 25 may be of slightly greaterdiameter than the outer diameter of the annular casing ange 13. Thus thecrystal may be applied to cause flange 25 to surround ange 13 with therib or bead 27 in contact with the surface of the crystal collar. Thebezel may then be moved to engage its surface 19 with the outer surface28 of crystal collar 25'. The diameter of surface 19 is so selected thatwhen in assembled relation to the component parts, pressure is exertedto compress the rib 27 into the inner annular surface of crystal collar25.

It will be evident that it is not necessary to compress the flange 25 tosuch degree that the entire rib or bead is embedded in the crystalflange. It is only necessary to establish rm contact by exertingsufficient pressure to cause the contact surface of the ridge tointimately engage and slightly deform the compressible material of thecrystal. The degree of compression may vary and at the same time producethe required moisture tight relation. Obviously therefore this makespossible more latitude in the degree of accuracy of the dimensions ofthe related parts to the practical advantage of quantity production.

When the parts are'assembled the crystal is applied by moving the collar25 until an annular surface 29 of the crystal` seats on the ange ofretainer ring 16 which in turn contacts the upper edge of flange i3. Thecrystal is exible and the collar 25 readily passes over the ridge 27. Inone practical embodiment of the invention a crystal of about 1.1220inches in diameter may be employed in which case the annular ridge 27has a base width of about .012 inch and a height of about .003 inch andit has been found in practise that if sufficient pressure is applied topress the ridge 27 suiciently to deform the plastic flange an effectiveseal is attained while leaving clearance between the outer flat surfaceof ange lf3 and the inner flat surface of the crystal flange. It will beevident that the'dimensions or form of the ridge or bead may be variedas practical requirements demand. lf desirable the flange 13 may beprovided with a plurality of ridges or beads El as shown in Fig. 4.

The use of a ridge or bead which deforms or bights into the plasticcrystal flange; in addition to providing an effective seal forms achannel which in conjunction with the ridge, serves to lock the crystalin fixed relation to the component metallic parts of the Watch casing.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the present invention isdirected to the provision of a moisture tight watch casing wherein thecontacting sealing areas are reduced to a minimum to insure intimatesealing relation between the metallic elements of the casing and thecrystal whereby the uncertainty of attaining a positive seal undervarying manufacturing conditions is avoided.

Although a preferred embodiment ofthe invention is shown and describedherein it is to be understood that modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A moisture proof watch casing comprising a container for a watchmovement, said container including a back plate and an upstanding rimhaving a rim-flange, a crystal of compressible material having abackwardly extending integral collar outside said rim-flange along asidewall surface portion of the latter, a bezel for said container andhaving an inside surface portion received endwise over said sidewallsurface portion of the rim-flange and outside said crystal collar, andan attenuated portion extending around one of said surface portions inintegral relation thereto and having a contact surface adjacent to theother of said surface portions, locally reducing the space between saidsurface portions and by pressure locally reducing the thickness of saidcompressible collar, and thus providing a moisture tight seal betweensaid surface portions frictionally resisting endwise separation of saidbezel, crystal and container from their assembled positions.

2.' A moisture proof watch casing comprising a container for a Watchmovement, said container including a back plate and an opstanding rimhaving a rim-flange, a crystal of compressible material having abackwardly extending smooth surfaced integral annular collar outsidesaid rim-flange along an annular sidewall surface portion of the latter,a bezel for said container having an annular inside surface portionreceived endwise over said sidewall surface portion of the rim-flangeand outside said crystal collar, and a ridge extending around one ofsaid surface portions in integral relation thereto and having a Contactsurface adjacent to the other of said surface portions,

localiy reducing the space between said surface portions and by pressurelocally reducing the thickness of said compressible collar, and thusproviding a moisture tight seal between said surface portions frictionally resisting endwise separation of said bezel, crystal andcontainer from their assembled positions.

3. A moisture proof watch casing comprising a container for a watchmovement, said container including a back plate and an upstanding rimhaving a rim-flange, a crystal of compressible material having abackwardly extending smoothsurfaced integral annular collar outside saidrim-Harige along an annular sidewall surface portion of the latter, abezel for said container having an annular inside surface portionreceived endwise over said sidewall surface portion of the rim-flangeand outside said crystal collar, and a raised annulus extending aroundone of said surface portions in integral relation thereto and having acontact surface adjacent to the other of said surface portainer for awatch movement, said container including a back plate and an upstandingrim having a rim-flange, a crystal of compressible material having abackwardly extending smooth surfaced integral annular collar outsidesaid rim-ange along an annular sidewall surface portion of thelatter, abezel for said container received endwise over said sidewall surfaceportion of the rimflange and outside said crystal collar, said bezel andrim having seating faces against each other behind said rim-flange, andan attenuated portion extending around one of said surface portions inintegral relation thereto and having a contact surface adjacent to theother of said surface portions, locally reducing the space between saidsurface portions and by pressure locally reducing the thickness of saidcompressible collar, and thus providing a moisture tight seal betweensaid surface portions frictionally resisting endwise separation of saidbezel, crystal and container from their assembledpositions.

5. A moisture proof watch casing comprising a container for a watchmovement, said container including a back plate and an upstanding rimhaving a rim-flange, a crystal of compressible material having abackwardly extending integral collar outside said rim-flange along asidewall surface portion of the latter, a bezel for said container andhaving an inside surface portion received endwise over said sidewallsurface portion of the rimflange and outside said crystal collar, saidbezel and rim having seating faces against each other behind saidrimilange, and an attenuated portion extending around said surfaceportion of the rim-flange in integral relation thereto and having aContact surface adiacent to said inner surface portion of the bezel,locally reducing the space between said surface portions and by pressurelocally reducing the thickness of said compressible collar, and thusproviding a moisture tight seal between said surface portionsfrictionally resisting endwise separation of said bezel, crystal andcontainer from their assembled positions.

6. AV moisture proof watch casing comprising a container for a watchmovement, said container including a back plate and an upstanding rimhaving a rim-flange, a crystal of compressible material having abackwardly extending smooth surfaced integral annular collar outsidesaid rim-flange along a sidewall surface portion of the latter, a bezelfor said containerhaving an annular inside surface portion receivedendwise over said sidewall surface portion of the rim-flange and outsidesaid crystal coilar, said bezel and rim having annular seating facesagainst each other behind said rim-flange, and a raised annulusextending around said surface portion of the rim-bange in integralrelation thereto and having a contact surface adjacent to said innersurface portion of the bezel, locally reducing the space between saidsurface portions and by pressure locally reducing the thickness of saidcompressible collar, and thus providing a moisture tight seal betweensaid surface portions frictionally resisting endwise separation of saidbezel, crystal and container from their assembled positions. casingwhich comprises providing a container and a bezel 7. The method ofproducing a water proof watch casing which comprises providing acontainer and a bezel respectively having outer and inner surfaceportions and an integral rib on one of said portions having a contactsurface toward the other of said portions when said surface portions aresubstantially concentrically disposed, providing a watch crystal ofcompressible material and positioning an integral collar of said crystalin contact with said rib under conditions where the thickness of saidcollar exceeds the maximum distance between the contact surface of saidrib and the other said surface portions when the portions aresubstantially concentrically disposed, relatively sliding said portionsto substantially concentric positions on the axis of said collar andaccordingly forcing the contact surface of the annular rib into saidcollar locally producing an intense-pressure on said collar under saidrib, and thus providing a moisture tight seal between said surfaceportions frictionally resisting endwise separation of said bezel,crystal and container from their assembled positions.

8. The method of producing a water proof watch casing which comprisesproviding a container and a bezel respectively having outer and innersurface portions and Cil an integral rib on said outer surface portionof the container affording a contact surface toward said inner surfaceportion of said bezel when the bezel and container are substantiallyconcentrically disposed, providing a watch crystal of compressiblematerial and positioning an integral collar of said crystal in contactwith said rib under conditions where the thickness of said collarexceeds the maximum distance between the contact surface of said rib andthe inner surface portion of said bezel when said surface portions aresubstantially concentrically disposed, relatively sliding said portionsto substantially concentric positions on the axis of said collar andaccordingly forcing the contact surface of the annular rib into saidcollar locally producing an intense pressure on said collar under saidrib, and thus providing a moisture tight seal between said surfaceportions frictionally resisting endwise separation of said bezel,crystal and container from their assembled positions.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,025,031 Algeo et a1. Dec. 24, 1935 2,302,340 Morf Nov. 17, 1942FOREIGN PATENTS 175,075 Switzerland Apr. 16, 1935 203,734 SwitzerlandJuly 1, 1939 239,990 Switzerland Mar. 16, 1946 505,297 Canada Aug. 24,1954

